Vegetable bunch tying machine



July 25, 1944.

A. G. SUELFLOW VEGETABLE BUNCH TYING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ALFRED G.SUELFLOW AT TORNEYS July 25, 1944.

' A. G. SUELFLOW VEGETABLE BUNCH TYING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALFRED G.SUELFL.OW

AT TORNEYS July 25, 1944.

A. G. SU ELFLOW 2,354,410

VEGETABLE BUNCH TYING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ALFRED G.SUELFLO'W ATTORNEYS July 25, 1944. s FL w 2,354,410

VEGETABLE BUNCH TXING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 r INVENTOR ALFRED GVSUEL'FLOW ATTORNEYS Patented July 25, 1944 UNITED STATES" I VEGETABLE BUNGfH rYiNG memos;

Alfred G. Suelflow, Milwaukee, Wis v 7 Application June 21, 1943, "SerialNo. 491,586

8 Claims. topica -31 This invention appertains to vegetable bunch tying machines and is an improvement over the structure shown in Patent #1,407,481 ,'issued to Frank Radechovsky February 21, 1922. 1

One of the primary objects of rny'presen't invention is to generally improve the structure shown in said patent, whereby to produce a vegetable bunch tyer which will be exceptionally efiicient in operation, one which will operate with a minimum amount of effort and one in which bunches of vegetables of all sizes can'be accurately and rapidly tied.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide a simple and direct'means for operating the needle bar from the foot lever, whereby to reduce the number of operating parts and to produce a smooth efficient structure.

A further important object of my invention is to provide a novel and eflicient means for operating the main drive shaft for the knotter, the

stripper and string cutter, the shuttle or end string holder, etc., from the foot lever, whereby not only will the shaft be actuated in proper timed relation with the needle, but whereby a trouble free mechanism will be had.

A still further object of my invention is to produce a simple mechanism for operating the knotter, the stripper and string cutter, and shuttle or string holder from the drive shaft, so that all of said parts will operate in a smooth proper timed relation relative to one another.

A still further important object of my inven- .tion is to provide novel means for automatically increasing and decreasing the tension on the string during the operation of the needle bar, whereby to prevent the tangling of the string as the same is pulled off of the cone or ball.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar-

rangement, and formation of parts, as will be' hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure .1 is a side, elevational view of my improved bunch tying machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the mechanism for operating the needle bar and the string tension mechanism.

Figure 3 is afragmentary, sectional view taken on a larger scale than Figure 2 and on the line '3 '3 of Figure 1.looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitul t- 1 {of Figure .12,

Figure 6 is'a'detail, sectional viewtaken onthe line 6-6 of Figure 4' looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the knotter;

Figure 'Tis a fragmentary, side elevational view 'ofthe lowe'r 'endof the knotter.

Figure '8 is a horizontal, sectional'view through the knotter taken'on'the'line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is'a transverse, sectional View through the head of the machine taken on the line 9-43 of Figure 4-1ookin'g'in the direction of the arrows,

illustrating the mechanism employed for actuating the stripper a d opera-ting shaft-. I

'Figure 10 is a detail, sectional View taken at right angles to'Figu're 9 and substantially on' 'the string cutter from the main line l dill ofFi'gure4 looking inthedirection of the arrows, illustratingparts ofthe stripper and string-'cutterand string holder or shuttle. Figure 111s a fragmentary, transverse, sectional view taken on'the 1inell ll offFigurel lo king in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the mechanism for actuating the string holder-or shuttle. Figure 12 is a front, elevational v iew of the string holder or shuttle per se, showing the shuttle arm in its open .ppsition. U

, Figure 13 is a detail, sectional viiew through the string holderor shuttle taken on the. line i3-l3 of Figure 11 looking in thedirectionof the arrows. 1

I Figure 14 is a horizontaLsectional view through string holder or shuttle ftalgen on the line Y Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, the letter M generally indicates myimproved Vegetable burichtying machine and the same includes a base I5 having formed ,thereon an upright pedestal or, column H5. The base and column can be braced in any prefe ired mannerand the base has I iormed thereon a bracket f I l on which is supported, in, any]desir,ed way, the1 cone of twine l8.

Rigidly bolted or otherwise aifixed to the column is the main frame casting l9. This casting includes a main body portion 20 which is secured to the column or pedestal and diverging upwardly extending front and rear supporting arms 2| and 22. The front arm 2| carries the needle mechanism 23 and the rear arm 22 and its associate parts carry the head 24 of the machine.

Rockably mounted upon the body portion 2|! of the frame casting I9 is the foot lever 25 and this foot lever depends from said casting in front of the column or standard l6. The lower end of the foot lever 25 carries the foot pedal 26 for the operator. The lever 25 has formed on its upper end angularly extending operating arms 21 and 28. The arm 21 is employed for actuating the needle mechanism 23, as will be later described, and the arm 28 is employed for operating the main shaft 29 which forms a part of the head 24.

A bearing 39 is carried by the upper end of the foot lever 25 substantially at the juncture of the arms 21 and 28 therewith and this bearing receives a stud 3| carried by the main frame l9. This bearing may'include (and preferably does) roller or ball bearing races. The lever 25 is normally held forward ina non-operative position by means of a contractile coil spring 32 which is connected to said lever and to a brace bar 33 attached to the casting |9. A similar forwardly extending brace arm 34 is connected to the front of the casting and forms a guide for the string, as will also hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring to the needle mechanism 23, the same includes a needle bar or lever 35 and the forward end of this needle bar or lever carries the arcuate cord carrying needle 36. The needlebar or lever 35 is rockably mounted, as at 31, on the upper end of the arm. 2| of the frame I9 and this bearing can also be of roller or ball type. Formed on the needle bar directly in rear of the-bearing for the bar is the push arm 38 and this push arm terminates in an arcuate seat 39 which normally receives the operating pin 40. This operating pin is carried by and extends laterally from the front arm 21 of the foot lever and a suitable rolling anti-friction sleeve is carried by said pin for engaging the track formed on the push arm 38. The rear end of the push arm 38 has formed thereon the upwardly extending arcuate guide and cam leg 4|. A contractile coil spring 35' has its opposite ends connected respectively to the needle bar 35 and to the brace arm 34.01 the frame casting l9 and normally holds the needle bar 35 in its lowered position. i Y

From the description so far, it can be seen that when the pedal 26 is pushed rearwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, the pin 48 will be brought forward and downward and the same will ride on the-track of the push arm 38 of the needle bar 35 and consequently, the needle bar will be rocked moving the needle 36 under the head 24.

The cord or twine is brought up from the cone |8 through a guide eye 42 carried by a bracket 43 which is supported from the frame Hi. This guide eye is arranged directly above the cord or twine cone and from the eye the cord is brought forwardly through a spring tension device 44 carried by the brace arm 34. This spring tension device 44 .forms an important feature of the invention and will be later described. From. the spring tension device the cord is threaded through intermediate guide openings or eyes 45 formed in the needle and the extreme upper end of the needle 36 has formed therein a guide eye 46, and the cord after being fed through this eye is brought under the head 24 and held by certain other mechanisms as will be described.

Referring now to the cord spring tension device 44 (see Figures 2 and 3) it can be seen that the same includes a tension plate 41 carried by a part of a U-shaped ear 48 formed on the bracket: or brace bar 34. The cord extends between this part of the U-shaped ear and the tension plate and the plate is loosely fastened to said ear by a. bolt 49. The plate is normally drawntoward the: cord or twine by a light tension spring 50 which is carried by the tension plate 41 and this bolt slidably extends through the ear 48 and the tension spring 50 is confined between said ear and,

a head 5| carried by the bolt. Thus normally a light tension or drag is placed on the cord below th needle and this tension is increased after a bunch of vegetables has been fed to the machine and when the needle is actuated during the tying of the knot. In order to increase the tension, at rock arm 52 is carried by the bracket or brace: bar 34 and this rock arm is mounted for swinging movement intermediate its ends on said bracket 34. The forward end of the rock arm 52 carries: a leaf spring 53 which is adapted to engage, at certain times, the tension bolt and the position of the spring can be adjusted by a thumb screw 54. The rear end ofthe rock arm 52 carries a button 55 which is arranged in the path of the cam and guide arm 4| formed on the needle bar 23. As the needle 36 is actuated, the cam and guide arm 4| sweeps past the. rock arm 52 and engages the button 55, and presses on said button swinging th leaf spring 53 into tight contact with th tension bolt which moves the tension plate 41 into further gripping contact with the twine or cord. Swinging movement of the rock arm 52' can be controlled by the thumb screw 56 which is carried by the bracket 34.

The head 24 includes a frame or base plate 51 which is rigidly bolted to the rear arm 22 and its associate parts of the main frame casting I9. This base plate 51 has formed thereon bearings 58 for rotatably supporting the main drive shaft. 29. This shaft is connected through the medium of intermesliing beveled gears 59 with a cross shaft 60 and this shaft 60 is also rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 6| carried by the base plate 51. The bearings can be of any preferred type and can be provided with ball or roller bearing anti-friction members. Keyed or otherwise affixed to the cross shaft 69' is a pinion 62 and this pinion is engaged by a rack bar 63. The rack bar extends downwardly from the head 24 and is pivotally connected at its lower end, as at 64, to the rearwardly extending arm 28 formed on the foot lever 25. Consequently, upon movement of the foot lever rearwardly, the rack bar '63 is raised causing the rotation of the shafts 60 and 29. In order to hold the rack bar 63 into engagement with the pinion 62, the shaft 60 has loosely mounted thereon a U-shaped guide bracket 65 which extends about the rack bar and the rack bar slides through said guide. As brought out in the objects of the'invention, the shaft 29 operates the knotter 66, the string or cord stripper and cutter 61 and the shuttle or cord end holder 68. The frame plate 51 also carries a bearing 69 for a stub shaft 10. This shaft 10 is rotated from the main drive shaft 29 through the use of meshing beveled pinions 1|. Keyed or otherwise secured to the lower end of the shaft 10 v is a pair of sector gears 12 and 13. These gears -notch'99 which facilitates thesstripping or pulling "I2. is of a slightly greater size than the top gear I3 and is employed for turning the :knotteraGB. The gear 13 is employed for or string holder 68.

- The knotter '66, the stripper'andcuttertfll operating the "shuttle :tion'of .the operation of these parts in saidRadeck application, the operation of z these parts will not he: described :in minute detail butwill besufiiciently described to :bring about the'clear understanding of the new drive therefor;

The knotter 66 (see Figures 6, Z; and 8) in- .cludes .21, depending bearing sleeve 14 detachably fitted in a socket I5 carried by a bracket. plate g'lficrigidly secured to the base or frame plate 51 of the head 24. The bearings-leeve is held :in place in its socket by a set screw TI. Rotatably mounted within the bearing sleeve 14 is the knotter shaft m and detac'hably secured to this shaft is .a mutilated pinion I9 which is adapted to engage the sector gear I2.

This pinion 19, fora,

small portion of its periphery, is provided with an arcuate bearing face for. engaging the smooth portion of the sector gear 12.. Carried by the .lowerendof the knotter shaft 18 is the rigid cord gripping finger or jaw BI and pivotally mounted upon said rigid jaw is the movable cord gripping finger or .jaw -82. The movable jaw is normally held down into engagement with the rigid jaw by .a spring pressed plunger 03. This movablejaw or finger 82 carries a roller M. which isadapted to engage the cam. track 85 on the lower end of the 1 bearing sleeve 14 so that upon rotation of the shaft I8, the movable jaw or finger 82 will be opened and closed at the proper times. The cord stripper and cutter includes a rock .arm 96. This arm carries a bearing 81 and the bearing is mounted upon a stub shaft 88 carried by the frame bracket I6 and this rock arm is so mounted as to swing back and forth transversely of the head and under the knot'ter 66, The upper end of the rock arm 80 has formed thereon above the stub shaft an arcuate voperating lever 89 and this lever carries at its upper end an anti-friction roller 90 and a latch keeper notch 91.

In order to bring about the operation of the stripper and string cutter, the main operating shaft 29 has loosely mounted thereon .a trip leg 9i? and hooked latch92. Thetrip leg 9| and the latch 92 are formed on a hub 93 and this hub is provided with a forwardly extending lug 9'4.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 29 is a trip collar 95 and this trip collar has formed thereon the radially extending trip lug 96 which is adapted to engage the lug 94, at certain times. Normally the trip leg 91' isin front of. the antifriction. roller 90 and the trip arm 89, and the latch arm 92 normallyseatsfin the keeper notch -9I. A leaf spring 91 is carried by the arm 89 for normally holding said latch .92 in the keeper notch. A coil spring 9'! has .its opposite ends connected respectively to therock arm .86 and the frame bracket 16 and functions to normally hold the rock arm in its lowered position as shown in Figure 9.

The rock arm. 86 has riveted or otherwise secured thereto .a laterally extending plate 98 .and this plate. has formed therein a cord receiving .of the'knot-fromoff ofzthe'knotter 66. The inner =edge-ofe the plate 08 :is provided with. an upstandring flange I00 and secured to this flange is'the cord or string cutterknife IO I.

. During rotation oftheshaft 2a, the latch arm 92 :willbe first movedffrom out of the keeper notch 9 I, after which the trip leg 91' will engage the anti-friction roller. 90 and rock the rock'arm 86 to" the left (see. Figure 9) under'the knotter and as the cord is in the stripper slot '99, such cord "will be pulledaway from the knotter and the knife I0I will cut that'part of the string between the .knot-ter and the string holder orshuttle 68.

During the initial rotation of the shaft 29 no movement Will be imparted to the stripper and cutter and at this timeathe'knotter will be performing its work, but as "soon as the shaft :29 com pletes substantially one revolution in a counterclockwise direction (see Fi-gure'9) the lug 96 ion the collar will 'engagethe lug '94 on thetrip leg 91 causing the desired movement of such leg.

The string holder or shuttle is mounted in rear of the knotter fifi and the cord'and string stripper-or cutter 61 and the same includes '(see Figures 11 to.;1-4i inclusive) asubstantially:U-shaped hanger bracket I-02. This hanger-bracket is providedwith bearing openings which receive ad'- justa-ble pintles I03 carried by depending ribs 104 formed on'the bracketiplate "I6. Hence the hanger bracket I02' is mounted for swinging :movement and has riveted :or otherwise secured thereto a stationary Iguid'eyfinger I05. The bracket has also riveted or otherwise secured thereto a .pair of depending'sl-ightly spaced stationary ccrdre'ceivingfingers I06 and theilower ends of these fingers are normally urged toward one another byxaspring tension bolt JIO'I. The extreme-lower ends of these pairs of fingers I06 have formed thereon depending cord engaging =ears'l08; :By-refer-ring to Figures '11 to 14, inclusive, it can beiseen 'thatth'e pair of cord grip- ;pi-ngfi'ngers lflfiare -spaced from the stationary :guide finger J05. Movable between'the pair of stationary cord gripping fingers I 06 is a swinging cord retaining finger I09. This cord retaining finger I09 'is' of a. C shape and the extreme lower outer end thereof has formed thereon acord engaging hook H0. The upper end of the movable finger I209 has formed thereon an upwardly extending hanger arm I II which is mounted for swinging movement on a pivot bolt I I2 carried by the hangerbracket I02. Acam plate H3 is car'- iriedhysand extends laterallyfrom the movable finger and is provided'with a cam-receiving slot I I. I Riotatably 'mounted in a bearing I-I5 carried by theibracketplate 'Ifizis the shaft II6 for operating the'imovable .finger I09. -'This shaft has securedthereto a'mutilated pinion IN, the teeth of whichare adapted to mesh with, at certain times, the teeth ofthe gear 73 on the stub shaft I0. This pinion I I1 has formed thereon arcuate smooth bearing faces H 8 :for engaging, at certain times, the smooth portion of the sector gear 13. Carried bythez-lower end of the shaft H6 is an eccentric pin H9. This pin is mounted inthe Islot :II-4 ,and can be 'provided'with a square finger carried thereby away from the knotter 66. However, during the rotation of the knot, a pull will be exerted on' the cord or string held by the string holder or shuttle and consequently the string holder or shuttlecan be swung 'by this string pull toward theknotter against the tension of the Spring I21; i

The machine operates' as follows, it being understood that'the string is threaded off of the cone through the needle,' in the manner described, under the knotter .jaws to the string holder or shuttle '68; a bunch=of vegetables is taken and brought: against the string directly under the knotter 66 and the stripper and string cutter 61 so that the string will partially encircle the bunch of Vegetables. The footlever 25 is now pushed rearwardly bringing the :needle 1 up past the knotter 66, the stripper and cord cutter 61 and the string holder 68 which will bring the .cord tightly about the bunch of vegetables. The shaft 29 will now be operated and the knotter will function to tie the knot. As the knot is being tied and the knotter makesa complete revolution, the stripperand cutter will be shifted laterally and will pull the knot from-the knotterfingers'or jaws and at the same time'sever the cord between the holder 68 and theknotter. As theneedl'e is moving past the string holder 68, the movable orshuttle finger I09 by means of'its'hook I ID will engage the string carried by the needle-and shift the string under the nose or lugs I08 on the pair of stationary fingers I06.

As the foot lever returns to its normal position,

the shaft 29 will be rotated reversely and all parts will be returned to their normal position ready to tie another bunch of ve etables.

Initially, as the bunch of vegetables are placed in' position, the string will move or freely slide through the needle and between the tension plate 41. and its support but upon the movement'of the needle and when the'cam and guide arm 4| thereof strikes the button 55 the tension on the cord will be naturally increased so that free pullon the cord will be prevented. This prevents unl due cord from being pulled 01f. the cone and the tangling thereof and further aids in the tying .of a tight knot.

A guide and guard bar 122 is riveted or othervwise fastened to the front forwardly extending arm 2| of the main frame I9. 'The forward end of this guard and guide bar I22 is bent into a U- .shape, as at I23, and the needle rides through this U-shape portion. As shown in Figure 1 a seat I24 can be mounted in front of the machine M for the operator. T i

If desired, tying tape can be used instead 0 twine and consequently the bracket arm 43 is constructed to receive a reel of tape I22.

From the foregoing-description, it can'be seen that I have generally improved the construction of the bunch tyer illustrated and described in the mentioned Patent #1,407,481 and that a novel and new drive has been provided for insuring the smooth and proper timed operation of all of the parts relative to one another.

Changes in details. may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new is:

' 1. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a head carried by the support including a longitudinally extend ing, rotatable operating shaft, a knotter, a string stripper and cutter, and a string holder all operatively connected to the forward end of said tends to move the-hanger bracket I02- and the operating shaft, a needle bar rockably mounted .upon the support, a string carrying needle secured to the needle bar movable under the head and the knotter, string stripper and cutter, and

string holder carried thereby upon movement of the needle bar; an operating lever rockably mounted upon the support, means for operating the needle bar from the lever and means for operating the shaft from said lever, said last named means including a rack bar pivotally carried by the lever and a pinion operatively connected to said shaft engaged by said rack bar. 2. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a head carried by the'support including a longitudinally extendstring holder carried thereby upon movement of theneedle bar, an operating lever rockably mounted upon the support, means for operating the needle bar from the lever and means for operating the shaft from said lever, said last named "means including a cross shaft rotatably carried by the head, intermeshing gears operatively connecting the cross shaft with the operating shaft, a pinion fixed to said cross shaft, and a rack bar 'pivotally connected to said lever and engaging said pinion.

In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a head carried by the support including a longitudinally extending, rotatable operating shaft, a knotter, a string stripper and cutter, anda string holder all operatively connected to the forward end of said operating shaft, a needle bar rockably mounted upon the support, a string carrying needle secured to the needle bar movable under the head and the knotter, string stripper and cutter, and string holder carried thereby upon movement of the needle bar, an operating lever rockably mounted upon the support, means for operating the needle bar from. the lever and means for operating the shaft from said' lever, said last named means including a cross shaft rotatably carried by the head, intermeshing gears operatively connecting the cross shaft with the operating shaft, a pinion fixed to said cross shaft, and a rack bar pivotally connected to said lever and engaging said pinion, and a U-shaped. guide ,for said rack. bar rockably mounted upon said cross shaft and receiving the pinion and the rack bar.

4. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a head mounted upon the support including a longitudinally extending,

rotatable main operating shaft, a rotatable knotter mechanism carried by the forward end of the head, a laterally swinging string stripper and cutter mounted upon said head in front of the knotter, a string holder rockably mounted upon the head in rear of the knotter including a laterally shiftable swinging finger, means for operating the string stripper and cutter from the main shaft comprising,,a stub shaft rotatably carried by the head, means operatively connecting the stub shaft with the main operating shaft, and gear mechanism operatively connecting the 'stub shaft with the knotter and the swinging finger of the string holder, a needle bar rockably carried by the support, a string carrying needle secured to the bar and movable past the knotter, string stripper and cutter and the string holder upon operation of the needle bar, a swinging operating lever, means operatively connecting the lever with the needle bar, and means operatively connecting the lever with the main operating shaft.

5. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a head carried by the support including a longitudinally extending rotatable shaft, a knotter, a string stripper and cutter and a string holder, means for operating the knotter, string stripper and cutter and string holder from the shaft, a needle bar rockably mounted upon the support, a string carrying needle on the forward end of the needle bar movable under the head and past the knotter, string stripper and cutter, and string holder upon operation of the needle bar, a foot lever rockably mounted at its upper end on the support, diverging arms rigidly carried by the foot lever, means operatively connecting one of said arms to the needle bar and a rack bar pivotally carried by the other of said arms for operating the shaft.

6. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a needle bar rockably mounted upon the support, a string carrying needle secured to the forward end of the bar, a foot lever, means rockably connecting the foot lever withthe needle bar, a cam arm on the rear end of said needle bar, a source of string supply, the string being threaded through the needle, and a string tension device carried by the support including a tension plate for engaging the string between the needle and the source of supply, a pivoted arm having one end disposed in the path of the cam arm on the needle bar, whereby upon movement of the bar the forward end of the pivoted arm will be swung into engagement with the tension plate.

'7. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a needle bar rockably mounted upon the support, a string carrying needle secured to the forward end of the bar, a foot lever, means rockably connecting the foot lever with the needle bar, a cam arm on the rear end of said needle bar, a source of string supply, the string being threaded through the needle, and a string tension device carried by the support including a tension plate for engaging the'string between the needle and the source of supply, a pivoted arm having one end disposed in the path of the cam arm on the needle bar, whereby upon movement of the bar the forward end of the pivoted arm will be swung into engagement with the tension plate, said swinging arm having a tension leaf spring for engaging said tension plate.

8. In a machine for tying bunches of vegetables and the like, a support, a needle bar rockably mounted upon the support, a string carrying needle secured to the forward end of the bar, a foot lever, means rockably connecting vthe foot lever with the needle bar, a cam arm on the rear end of said needle bar, a source of string supply, the string being threaded throughgthe needle, and a string tension device carried by the support including a tension plate for engaging the string between the needle and the source of supply, a pivoted arm having one end disposed in the path of the cam arm on the needle bar, whereby upon movement of the bar the forward end of the pivoted arm will be swung into engagement with the tension plate, said swinging arm having a tension leaf spring for engaging said tension plate, means for adjusting the ends of said leaf spring, and means for limiting the movement of the swinging arm.

ALFRED G. sunmmow. 

